Return of the tough guys

There are car chases, explosions and gruesome kills as well as smoking of cigars, flexing of muscles and plenty of swearing and sweating. In other words tons of testosterone.

What else would you expect from a film directed bySylvester Stallone and starring some of Hollywood’s biggest action stars even though most of them are over 50?

The film, The Expendables (currently on the SA circuit), is something of a tribute to the classic ’80s action films - a real skop, skiet and donner fest about a group of mercenaries who try to overthrow a South American dictator.

It’s proving to be a hit among men and beat much-vaunted chick flick Eat Pray Love starringJulia Roberts on its opening weekend in the US. It took the No 1 spot with $34,8 million (about R250 million) compared with Eat Pray Love’s $23,7 million (about R170 million).

Not bad for this bunch of veterans.

Here’s a look at the tough dudes making a big action comeback in this larger-than-life movie.

SYLVESTER STALLONE (64)

Claim to fame

: Playing Rocky Balboa in Rocky (1976).

He plays: Barney “The Schizo” Ross, leader of the Expendables team.

Fast fact: In addition to directing he part-wrote the script. Sly says he wanted to bring “real” action back to the silver screen. “After Avatar it’s like, ‘Stop! Let’s go back to basics’.”

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (63)

Claim to fame:

Starring in Conan the Barbarian (1982) and The Terminator (1984).

He plays: Trench, leader of the original Expendables team.

BRUCE WILLIS (55)

Claim to fame:

Playing tough New York cop John McClane in Die Hard (1988).

He plays: Mr Church, the guy who selects and hires the team.

MICKEY ROURKE (57)

Claim to fame:

His role opposite Kim Basinger in the erotic sadomasochistic drama 9½ Weeks (1986).

He plays: Tool, an arms dealer and tattoo parlour owner.

Fast fact: Mickey’s performance has received rave reviews even among the handful of critics who didn’t like the movie.

JET LI (47)

Claim to fame:

Starring in Shaolin Temple (1982).

He plays: Yin Yang, a Chinese martial arts expert.

Fast fact: Jet was taking a break from acting to focus on his fitness programme called Wuji, a mix of martial arts, yoga and Pilates, but couldn’t resist a role in The Expendables.

DOLPH LUNDGREN (52)

Claim to fame:

Playing He-Man in Masters of the Universe (1987) and Frank Castle in The Punisher (1989).

He plays: Gunnar Jensen, a Swedish sniper.

Fast fact: Dolph got the part turned down by Jean-Claude Van Damme, who felt the character had no substance.